Saudi Crown Prince's Dream City Neom Faces Financial Crisis
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World
March 11, 2025 16:00
saudi arabia - Saudi Crown Prince's futuristic city project Neom in financial trouble, with costs soaring to 8.8 trillion euros. Find out more on Telegraaf.nl.
Saudi Crown Prince's Dream City Neom Faces Financial Crisis
The ambitious project of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to build the futuristic city of Neom is facing a financial crisis, with costs skyrocketing to 8.8 trillion euros.
Overview of Neom Project:
- Dream of a floating business district, 170-kilometer-long skyscrapers, and a ski resort without snow.
- Original goal to reduce Saudi Arabia's oil dependency and boost tourism.
- Initial investment of over 500 billion euros from government and investors.
Financial Mismanagement:
Analysis reveals costs far exceeding estimates, with over 46 billion euros spent already.
- Initial errors in cost projections and revenue expectations.
- Allegations of intentional cost manipulation and involvement of McKinsey & Company.
Future Challenges and Costs:
- Estimated completion cost of 8.8 trillion euros by 2080.
- Privacy concerns for residents due to extensive surveillance systems.
- Challenges with 'zero-gravity' architecture and artificial ski slopes raising costs.
Despite the financial setbacks, Salman aims to make Neom a hypermodern city, albeit with privacy implications for its inhabitants.